HELITE AIR BAG VEST

The Helite turtle airbag vest is high – quality protective device designed for motorcycle use.

It is the only airbag vest currently made that has been tested to and meets CE rated approval.

The version shown here also meets the CE high – visibility specification

INTRODUCTION:-

It was first reviewed the moto air airbag jacket 13 years ago In 2004 and Aire-Tronics airbag vest review a short time after that.

The concept of a motorcycle airbag vest was new at the time and their future wasn’t certain by any means.

Airbag vests are also used in other sports, such as equestrian, skiing, light aircraft and more.

Helite is a European company and the turtle airbag vest is made in Europe.

It was developed over several years of testing, using motorcycle crash data collected by University of Florence (ITALY) and laboratory analysis

The turtle airbag vest simple to air but its simplicity belies its complexity and protective potential

It is made to much higher quality standards than the airbag vest we have reviewed in the past.

CONCEPT:-

“AS LITTLE COMPROMISE AS POSSIBLE , AS MUCH TECHNOLOGY AS POSSBLE”

HELITE TURTLE AIRBAG VEST:-

Helite airbag vest is designed to make it easy to wear and use

And it satisfies multiple criteria, with its standard but in back protector in the high visibility fluorescent colour.

Air bag vest is deployed if the rider is ejected from the motorcycle during an accident. The vest inflates and protect the core body cavity.

The vest also add a layer of abrasion protection and it has built-in knox back protector which is an added benefit.

Actually calling it a “CO 2 vest” or “carbon dioxide inflatable vest” Would probably be more accurate than airbag” as the vest is inflated from the pressure in CO 2 cartridge attached to the front.

The airbag vest is reactive, that is it inflates during the accident, not in Anticipation of the accident.

There are some highly complex airbag inflation system that includes sensors on the motorcycle which will trigger the airbag in milliseconds[mm] before the full force of the impact is felt by the rider.

But obviously, that is an extremely complex technology that is still in its infancy

HELITE TURTLE AIRBAG VEST DETAILS:-

The outer shell of the helite airbag vest is made from NYLON “Cordura” like fabric typically found in motorcycle jackets shells.

The vest feels like its lightly padded but that’s actually the airbag inside, Sandwiched between the outer shell and the heavy mesh polyester vest lining.

The weight really isn’t noticeable when riding, other than the fact that the vest blocks the airflow from a mesh or perforated leather jacket.

Its comfortable and fits with adequate room and feels more or less like wearing an inflatable “Mae vest” type of inflatable vest used in boating or sailing.

CO 2 CARTRIDGE AND AIRBAG INFLATION DETAILS:-

The CO 2 engagement system designed by helite appears to be very well made and nicely designed.

The threaded CO 2 cartridge is held in a heavy plastic mount on the right-handed side of the chest.

The vest arrives with the CO 2 cartridge installed to the receiver. The receiver unit holds an engagement cord that has a metal ball attached to one end.

The cord is attached to the motorcycle and if the rider is ejected from the bike, the ball is pulled out of the receiver and a heavy spring pushes a sharp penetrator into the neck of the CO 2 cartridge, which then inflates the vest.

CO 2 CARTRIDGE TIMING FOR INFLAMMATION:-

Helite said the airbag vest protects effectively after 0.1 sseconds

The timing, the rate of inflammation, the amount of air volume, the maximum pressure, and the design of the bladder are all very important factors in an airbag vest.

RELEASE CORD AND INSTALLATION:-

The release cord for the Helite airbag vest system must to be attached to the motorcycle.

It has the looped end with a nylon buckle and another buckle that acts as a release from the bike when the rider is mounting or dismounting.

The cord can be attached in a central location and should have enough slack from the rider to move around.

It would be very difficult for the vest to inflate slowly due to rider walking away from the bike without first disconnecting the cord.

The force needed is a significant {think 60-100kg body being ejected from a motorcycle} and it must be delivered quickly.

It honestly doesn’t take long to remember that the cord is attached and it can be felt as soon as the leg starts to lift off the bike, so in effect this really isn’t an issue.

Also a tag or ribbon or such can be attached to ignition key to act as a reminder to the rider.

PROTECTION PARTS OF THE BODY:-

DIRECTLY:

→NECK

→SPINE

→CHEST AND RIBS

→PELVIS

INDIRECTLY:

→HEAD

→LIVER

→HEART

→LUNGS

→PANCREAS

→COLLARBONE

REPLACEMENT OF CO 2 CARTRIDGE:-

The CO 2 cartridge is easily replaced. A hex key is included with the vest and it can be used to unscrew a plug from the bottom of the CO 2 cartridge receiver, which then releases the spring.

The metal ball of the cord can then be replaced in its metal cavity, the plug is threaded in again the new CO 2 cartridge is threaded into the top of the receiver.

SIZING AND FIT:-

The Helite vest should be slightly loose over the jacket to allow room for expansion of the airbag, which expands quite a bit and very fast.

The vest becomes very tight when the airbag is deployed, to protect the rider.

SIZE TABLE:

TURTLE VEST

MEDIUM
[M]

LARGE
[L]

EXTRA-LARGE
[XL]

HEIGHT
[CM]

165-178

170-185

180-195

WAIST LINE WITH EQUIPMENT
[CM]

95-110

100-115

105-120

CARTRIDGE

60cc

60cc

60cc

CONCLUSION:-

The Helite turtle airbag vest is a nice addition to the arsenal of protective gears that can be worn by the motorcycle rider.

The high visibility version serves double-duty during day and night.The built-in back protector is also an added bonus.

Riding habits have to be slightly modified as the rider must remember to attach and detach the engagement cord from the bike.

And like a helmet, one hopes the helite airbag vest will never need to be deployed…but you`ll sure to be very pleased that it`s there when or if the time comes.

The excellent build quality and CE approval make this the airbag vest to own.